Central Okanagan’s largest regional park in line for funding boost

KELOWNA – With support from senior governments, Black Mountain/sntsk‘il’nten Regional Park could get almost $1 million in trails and parking lots added over the next three years.

The Regional District of the Central Okanagan board will be asked Monday (Jan. 28) to apply for a grant that will boost its $260,000 contribution to $975,000.

The 640-hectare park is centred around Black Knight Mountain off Highway 33 east of Rutland.

A small part of the park, called the Ephemeral Pond Trail, was finished last fall and is expected to open this year.

If the grant is approved as part of the Canada Infrastructure Program, it will start off with an archaeological assessment and design work.

Over the three-year time frame, the money will fund a number of trails, including a Tower Ranch Park connection, the Flume Trail to link Swainson and Joe Rich Road trailheads and Summit Trail.

Parking and trailhead development will be included along with signage.

The park is co-managed by the regional district and Westbank First Nation.

The funding, if approved, will come 40 per cent from the federal government, 33.33 per cent from the province and the balance from the regional district.

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